

ABSTRACT

Electroerosion machining (EDM or ECM) is carried out with a minimum of manual intervention. Under control of recorded data an electronic control system utilizing control logic directs the set-up operations as well as the actual machining process. The operations automatically (i.e., without the necessity of manual intervention) include loading and removal of workpieces and electrode material, trueing up of the workpiece (which may be by providing a transformation of the data rather than by adjusting the position of the workpiece), making starting bores, threading the electrode through a starting bore, applying a low melting alloy or other conducting adhesive to cement a core in the process of being cut out by machining, cutting the electrode after completing a starting bore and joining electrode ends after rethreading in a new starting bore. In threading the electrode it may be pushed simply or with the support of a surrounding jet of pressure medium, or it may be pulled by a grapple member.



